Could it be true? Snow is possible tonight?!?!?!

Update
Utah won't require boy to undergo cancer treatment.

Attention Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court...here's how you handle a threat by the County Commissioners to cut your funding.

Apologies

You'd think with two mommies posting, we'd have a bit more activity on our little site. I guess it means we're simply two times busier than the average bloggers.

What can I say, work is hectic, baby keeps me on my toes when I'm home, and I have barely enough time to check my e-mail lately.

Waaah Waaaah Waah.

Still life is good. In just a few short hours today, my daughter did a thousand things to make me smile. Today I watched her concentrate as she tried to pick up two balls of different sizes at the same time. Then she picked up a baby doll and cuddled it. And when I said, "Awww, Are you snuggling the baby?" she grinned and pulled it even closer to her. She made happy little yummy sounds as she ate the beef stew her cooked tonight.

Right now she's fallen asleep on the floor; her dad put the doll under her head as a pillow.

I'm very lucky.

And they wonder why schools s*ck...

Bureaucracy at its best.

I know I haven't blogged anything of substance for the past three weeks or so...and I apologize profusely. I will be trying to get back in the swing of things here in the next week or so, but with a baby with double ear infection I make no promises.

An interesting commentary , Married with Children? The Impact of Lawrence v. Texas on Child Custody, Visitation, and Adoption By JOANNE MARINER. I'm not sure I agree with the leap of logic from one conversation about sodomy, etc. to the implications on juvenile cases...but we shall see.

Now here's a good use of judicial resources.

More Hodgepodge

Because I needed some light fare:

If you had to cast a Patronus charm, what would be your happy memory?
I have a couple. Of course the first would be the birth of my daughter. My wedding day. The first time I realized I was in love with hubby. A road trip I took with several friends a few years ago--We were inspired to be silly and drive to a concert in Texas. Mid-way through the concert my best friend jumped on my back and hugged me, and shouted, "Thank you [ME1]!" She died a few months later so that moment is pretty special to me.

I guess I'm incredibly lucky person to be able to name so many happy memories.

Students are soon starting a new school year, if you were going back to Hogwarts which class would you most look forward to? Which class the least? Well my favorite would not be herbology, because since I've moved to northeastern Ohio, I've been killing plants left and right. I think Charms would be my favorite because I think the Cheering Charm would be pretty handy.

Least favorite would probably be Potions, because I'm a terrible cook. If I can't follow a recipe I can't imagine that I could follow instructions in a Potions class.

This new blogger stuff is really making my head spin! Thanks for the heads up on the strangely multiplying photos, ME1...I hope I've fixed it now. Hugs!

In memory of James Leahy, New York City Police Department...those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001...and all who have died serving the people of the United States of America.

Finally

Now here’s a quote from this site that I think women who are unable to breastfeed should really find comforting:

And those of you who are medically unable to breastfeed, I want you to know that it isn't just breastmilk that makes a child special. If you have tried to nurse, and were unable to or you have a medical problem that makes nursing impossible, then take heart in the fact that formulas now have the nutrition children need, and that you tried. Your children are better for that effort.

I promise that this is my last breastfeeding post. For tonight.

And Another Thing

I've seen this tidbit about breastfeeding in several places. I was intrigued by the idea that breastmilk has over 300 "ingredients" and most baby formulas contain only about 40.

I'm curious to know what the components of breastmilk really are. In my searching, I found this excellent article about the difference between breastmilk and formula. This bit particularly caught my eye, but didn't completely answer my question:

There are ingredients in breastmilk that cannot be duplicated in a factory because breastmilk is a living biological fluid; it contains, for example, hormones, active enzymes, growth factors, immunoglobulins, anti-inflammatory components, cytokines (involved in immune function) and other compounds with unique structures. These special ingredients allow breastmilk to stimulate and support the maturation of the nursling’s immune system, as well as the growth and maturation of other organ systems.

Here's another bit about the differences between breast milk and cow's milk. And there's this site, and this one, but I still don't see three hundred.

Can anyone out there tell me what ingredients have been found in breastmilk to date?

Real Simple Breastfeeding Article Update:

I recently mentioned an article in Real Simple magazine which listed breastfeeding as a "time waster." Well they've gone to the trouble of publishing a response to the flurry of letters, calls and e-mails they've received. After reading it I have to wonder why they bothered. They actually say that

In no way are we suggesting that breast-feeding is a waste of time.

Umm, the article was about time wasters whose time had come and gone. By including it in such an article, aren't you implying it's a time waster?

Their response also states:

By saying that no great harm will come to your child if you are unable to breast-feed, Real Simple is not implying that it is better to forgo nursing. (In fact, in the article we clearly outline the benefits.) But not all mothers are able to nurse for the 12 months recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The advice in the article is intended for those women — women who sincerely want to do the right thing but are defeated by circumstance and subsequently saddled by guilt.

No one should ever feel guilty because they were unable or chose not to breastfeed. No one should ever be bullied, harassed or mercilessly egged on to breastfeed. But I find it sad that a person who had difficulty breastfeeding would find comfort in the idea that it is a waste of time. The short and sweet of it is, breastmilk is best. It is often worth investing the time to make it work. However, there are lots of reasons that breastfeeding doesn't work (medical, returning to work makes it difficult, etc). Some babies wean themselves before they reach their first birthday. In my opinion, it would be wrong to force a baby who has self-weaned. Every parent makes these decisions based on what works for her/his own family.

I'm simply disgusted with Real Simple's condescending response. I guess that Real Simple assumes it's readers are Real Idiots who will believe any half-baked explanation. And it still didn't acknowledge that the Doctor quoted in the article gets money from a company that makes baby formula. It's needless to say that the online community at Mothering was not satisfied with Real Simple's response.

Personally, I would have preferred a statement truly valuing both decisions and an admission that the information provided was inaccurate, or at least more complicated than could be adequately covered in a magazine called "Real Simple."

So what DO you tip the delivery guys who said they'd deliver your furniture 9am-1pm...and then 5pm-7:30pm...and finally show up at 8:30pm???

By the way...still waiting for my bed to be delivered...

OK...Cleveland-based Charter One Bank has chosen Albany, NY for its first joint venture with Starbucks. That's right, the bank will be sharing branch office space with Starbucks...and will be open the same hours as Starbucks (6am-10pm). That sounds kind of convenient for those of us that typically work during regular banking hours. And my husband says it only makes sense, since you almost need to visit the bank for a loan before you buy a cup of coffee at Starbucks. (He's a funny, funny guy.)

It's Saturday, and I'm waiting for them to deliver my new king-sized bed. I've moved my old bed out of my room, planted my bulbs, ducked a phone call from my mother-in-law, and am now contemplating a nap. It's a GOOD day.

Oh Joy! Firefly to go to the big screen. Really.

Courtesy of Maximum Verbosity, I am thrilled to discover that Mutant Enemy will really make a Firefly movie. Like Betty, I want to know what's up with the guys with the blue dishwashing gloves, Book's real story, Mal and the rest of the wacky Serenity gang. And the fine folks at Firefly Fans are pleased.

If you didn't see Firefly when it was on tv, quite frankly you should have. Now we're stuck with dreck like "For Love or Money 2" Thanks a lot people. Shame on you. Just go ahead and buy the DVD. You'll enjoy it.

I know depart to go do my happy dance. Actually I depart because I am sick and so is the baby girl. But I'll throw in a happy dance at some point in time.

Stuff totally not related to anything serious

Turkey hunting information for Ohio

Apple Boom Anticipated for Ohio (my husband will be thrilled.

Ohio the musical?????????

I apologize for the non-working link on my Saturday August 23 post...the story now seems to be inaccessible. Maybe more people like me complained about the poor play on words that referenced six Pakistani children being deported from India as "six Pak"...and obvious play on the American slang "six pack." I wish I could remember the exact wording...I'm sorry I didn't post it directly now.